OBFS Educational Assistance Guidelines
Introduction:
The University of Illinois has various policies that cover employees who wish to
further their education and professional development. Some of those policies are listed
below and apply to employees specifically by employee group and campus location.
https://www.hr.uillinois.edu/cms/One.aspx?portalId=4292&pageId=5806
https://nessie.uihr.uillinois.edu/cf/index.cfm?Item_id=1121&rlink=1116
http://www.admin.uiuc.edu/cam/CAM/ix/ix-c/ix-c-34.html
The following guidelines and process may be applicable if the above polices do not cover
the specific situation or request. Please check with your Director or Human Resources on
the applicability to your situation.
PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES
It is the practice of OBFS to encourage and assist employees with broadening
their knowledge and skills, to keep current with changes in their profession and to
increase their potential for assuming greater responsibility. OBFS supports this
objective in two major areas: Education/Professional Designation Programs and
College Degree Programs. This OBFS policy applies to education, designation
and degree programs that are not covered under the various University of Illinois
tuition waiver policies for civil service and academic professional employees.
OBFS reserves the right to modify or discontinue this program at any time.
ELIGIBILITY
All employees with a 50% or greater appointment that have been employed a
minimum of six months in OBFS are eligible to apply for educational assistance.
OBFS reserves the right to pend applications for future consideration based on
budgetary constraints.
REQUIREMENTS AND REGULATIONS
Reimbursement is limited to $2,000.00 per calendar year, and covers tuition
expenses not covered by student aid or scholarships only. Degree program course
textbooks, syllabi, documents, student fees, travel, parking and other ancillary
expenses will not be reimbursed. Courses should not interfere with employee’s
regular work schedule unless appropriately pre-approved on a semester by
semester basis. The employee agrees to remain an employee of OBFS for one (1)
year after completion of the degree program or must reimburse OBFS the total
Educational Assistance Program – OBFS - 11/19/2014
This revision updates and supersedes all previous policy editions. OBFS reserves the right to change any
provisions described herein at any time, with or without notice.
OBFS Educational Assistance Guidelines
pro-rata share of the costs previously reimbursed. OBFS management reserves the
right to waive this provision.
A. Degree Programs*
All courses and/or on-going programs must be pre-approved to be eligible for
reimbursement upon completion of coursework. All course work towards a degree
program must be taken through an accredited college or university. An employee
who resigns from OBFS, or is separated for cause before completion of the course
or degree/designation program, is not entitled to reimbursement.
OBFS will reimburse the student after a passing grade of “C” or better for
Bachelors courses, “A/B” for Masters level courses or above, is achieved and
documented. Pass/Fail courses will be subject to reimbursement only when the
course is offered solely on a pass/fail basis. After successful completion of the
course(s), the student should present documentation on the Educational
Assistance Tuition/Coursework Reimbursement form to UA Employee Relations
and Human Resources for reimbursement processing.
B. Designation Programs*
Designation program coursework for eligible employees must be pre-approved
through OBFS and the employee must be able to demonstrate that the designation
and/or coursework is related to the job they currently perform or could reasonably
perform in the future. Examples of such programs include but are not limited to;
CPA, CPCU, CIC, PHR, SPHR, etc.
All course work towards a designation program must be taken through the
appropriate supporting professional organization or sponsor. OBFS will pay for a
student to take an exam up to two (2) times.
OBFS will reimburse the direct costs for study books/guides and testing. The
employee will make a personal request for payment by completing his/her portion
of the Tuition/Course Work Reimbursement Request Form. All requests must be
coordinated through the UA Employee Relations and Human Resources
Department.
* These guidelines do not apply to professional conferences or seminars.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
1. Application of Employee Tuition Assistance
An eligible employee may make a personal request for tuition assistance by
completing his/her portion of the Tuition/Coursework Reimbursement Request
Educational Assistance Program – OBFS - 11/19/2014
This revision updates and supersedes all previous policy editions. OBFS reserves the right to change any
provisions described herein at any time, with or without notice.
OBFS Educational Assistance Guidelines
Form. The employee may obtain this form from the UA Employee Relations
and Human Resources Department. All courses and/or on-going programs
must be pre-approved to be eligible for reimbursement upon completion of
coursework.
2. Authorization
Employee requests for tuition reimbursement require the approval and support
of:
a. The employee’s immediate departmental supervisor and
Director/Executive Director
b. The Campus AVP or Appropriate Senior Manager
c. UA Employee Relations and Human Resources (for filing & following
appropriate procedures)
3. Application Submittal
Once the employee has completed the request form and obtained the
appropriate approvals, the form should be submitted to:
University Administration
Employee Relations and Human Resources
449 Henry Admin, MC 341
506 South Wright Street
Urbana, IL 61801
4. Exceptions
Exceptions and deviations from these guidelines will be dealt with on a case by
case basis. OBFS Management reserves the right to change any provisions
described herin at any time, with or without notice.
Educational Assistance Program – OBFS - 11/19/2014
This revision updates and supersedes all previous policy editions. OBFS reserves the right to change any
provisions described herein at any time, with or without notice.